The NFL officials have been under intense scrutiny lately, facing harsh criticism and even a few suspensions. However, there was a moment during Sunday’s game that reminded us of their humanity. During the first quarter of the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans in London, umpire Larry Smith was performing his duties when he slipped on the wet turf at Wembley Stadium and fell.
After initially getting back up, Smith unexpectedly collapsed again, which seemed to indicate that he might have injured his knee. As medical personnel rushed to assist him, it was a poignant reminder that these officials, often challenged by players and criticized by fans, are very much human. During this time, line judge Carl Johnson knelt beside Smith, removed his cap, and began praying for his colleague’s recovery.
This kind of support is something we frequently see among players for one another. Earlier this year, for instance, Jaxson Dart was injured with the Giants, and again, Jayden Daniels was hurt during a game against the Cowboys. Additionally, the Packers made headlines when players knelt to pray for teammate Jayden Reed after a neck injury. Witnessing a referee offering such support was certainly touching.
Smith eventually required a cart to exit the field, with reports indicating he suffered a lower leg injury. The officiating crew then adapted, changing their setup to continue the game with six officials instead of the usual seven.
This incident, while offering a brief glimpse of compassion, also provides context surrounding the recent controversies involving referees, including suspensions following incidents that involved harsh language and confrontational behavior during games. Ultimately, this touching moment serves as a reminder that referees, like players, experience trials and challenges—showing us they are human too.
